Buffalo Grove Countryside

New book brings top chefs’ food to any table

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:31 -0500

Plenty of folks would shy away from coaxing even just one recipe out of their favorite restaurant chef, but Chicago food writer Amelia Levin collected 59 such recipes for her first cookbook, Chicago Chef’s Table (Lyon’s Press, 2012). “I started by reaching out to as many chefs as I could, assuming that not everyone would be able or would want to contribute. But actually, most did,” Levin explained. In her kitchen in Chicago, the Highland Park native edited each recipe, ensuring the order of ingredients matched the instructions. In some cases, measurements had to be changed. “Restaurants use a lot …

Chef stays true to red, white and blue

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:06:00 -0500

When the American flag flies proudly on days like Memorial Day, Chef John Lane weaves the nation’s favorite color combination into many of the foods he makes. For his Memorial Day weekend menu at The Perfect Dinner in Oak Park, Lane will make plenty of pies and tarts colored by fresh red raspberries, blueberries and white cream cheese mousse. But he’ll also make something more out of the ordinary for the special day: red, white and blue pulled barbecue pork sandwiches. Patriotic eats “Memorial Day is a super American holiday,” Lane said. “Hard-working people are given a chance to relax …

Many benefits to local farmers’ markets

Wed, 23 May 2012 01:11:55 -0500

One of the fabulous benefits of warmer weather is the start of farmers’ markets throughout the area. For seniors, farmers’ markets offer a great opportunity to enjoy the weather and benefit from the variety of fresh fruits and produce available. “Taste is impaired as we get older, so you want more pungent flavors,” said Alisa Levine, a registered, licensed dietitian and nutritionist with Live Your Best 365 in Highland Park. Farmers’ markets give you access to fresher, more flavorful produce. “The older a fruit gets, the starch turns to sugar and is sweeter. Vegetables are the reverse. They are sweeter …

Buffalo Grove calendar For May 18

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:00:21 -0500

Deadline for items for the Community Calendar is noon Wednesday two weeks before desired publication date. Send information on fund-raisers, clubs, lectures, community events, reunions and support groups to Community Calendar, Pioneer Press, 3701 W. Lake Ave., Glenview IL 60026; fax it to (847) 486-7495; or email it to jmolitor@pioneerlocal.com. There is no charge for publication. Business Help for the Unemployed: Harper College’s Career Stimulus program free to first-timers. Subsequent sessions $10. Memberships $85 a year; free one-on-one sessions with career coach, free workshops, and materials for, and admission to, an intensive Networking session. For dates visit www.harpercollege.edu. Kingswood United …

Foods of the 28 NATO countries: Go Hungary

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:04:29 -0500

In the same way I’d hope summit participants will be able to enjoy a Chicago-style hot dog or quintessential Italian beef sandwich while they are in the Windy City, I want to embrace the spirit of NATO in my home kitchen. Here’s how.

Thank Mom with breakfast in bed

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:44:01 -0500

Even in the hands of the most capable chefs, a perfectly balanced dish can be elusive. Sour, bitter, salty and sweet are in constant opposition, but these basic elements of flavor can work in unison to elevate the essence of a dish to new heights. Motherhood is a little like finding the harmony between divergent flavors in a single dish. Children are complicated little creatures and mothers channel their inner chef every day in their attempt to create a sense of balance at home. Children can quickly become bitter, but deft mothers know just how much acid and sweetness are …

Swingtime to support Down syndrome center

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:44:12 -0500

When most people think of events in assisted living communities, they focus on helping seniors. But the seniors and staff at one Lincolnshire community are focusing on what they can give to others. “Swingtime at the Ponds” is an event hosted by The Ponds of Lincolnshire from 6:30-8 p.m. May 24. This free event is designed to raise awareness, and hopefully money, for the Adult Down Syndrome Center, a program of Advocate Medical Group. “Our community touches many different types of seniors, including those with special needs,” said Jennifer Bebinger, CEO of The Wealshire and The Ponds.”As a family-owned business, …

Easy dishes kids can make for moms

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:36:39 -0500

She’s one hot mama. But cookbook author Beth Aldrich thinks all moms are hot moms. The Wilmette-based lifestyles coach believes every mom can stay healthy while enjoying food, and she provides helpful recipes to do so in her new cookbook, Real Moms Love to Eat: How to Conduct a Love Affair with Food, Lose Weight and Feel Fabulous (New American Library, 2012). The cookbook was released in January. Two of the featured recipes, No-bake Brownies and Hot Moms Quesadillas, are simple enough for kids to make. “These recipes have very few ingredients and are easy to prepare. They are almost …

Buffalo Grove calendar - May 10

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:04:44 -0500

Derby delight fuses with Cinco de Mayo

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:32:02 -0500

For years, I’ve helped dear friends pull together Kentucky Derby-inspired fare for a party celebrating the annual run for the roses. Benedictine tea sandwiches, Henry Bain sauce, Burgoo burgers, and pimento cheese toasts are standard fare at any derby party, but this year’s race — on May 5 — is more than hats and horses. Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate all things Mexican in the United States; it is a day when tortas and guacamole and margaritas reign supreme. What is a cook to do? Culinary conundrums can befall the most fearless cooks, but cilantro does not …

Spring cleaning a time to organize

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:07:34 -0500

Spring cleaning is rite of passage for many. It’s a time to get rid of the old, make way for the new. For some seniors, and their families, spring cleaning can be an opportunity to organize, help focus, reduce clutter and put systems in place to make life easier. Jan Obrand, owner of In Working Order, has been a professional organizer for more than 20 years. She is an active member of the Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce, the North Shore Professional Women’s Association and Financial Women International. She has seen many seniors become overwhelmed by the paper in their …

‘A hearty appetite’ from Hadassah

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:50:47 -0500

With two successful cookbooks in its past, the North Boundary chapter of Hadassah has published a third, B’te Avon III, Tasteful Treasures from North Boundary Hadassah. The book, which took three years to produce, was officially introduced at the Fall Fashion Show in November. “This one is geared for young singles, brides who want traditional Jewish recipes as well as modern ones,” said Jan Katz of Deerfield, who co-edited the book along with Judi Steinberg of Northbrook and Sharon Rosenstein of Morton Grove. “We tried to make this one more modern,” added Steinberg. “With fewer ingredients and recipes with quinoa …

Buffalo Grove calendar - May 3

Thu, 03 May 2012 03:06:10 -0500

Antiques+ Modernism Winnetka Show Kick-Off

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:10:01 -0500

On March 13, The Woman’s Board of Winnetka Community House launched its celebration of the highly anticipated Antiques+ Modernism Winnetka show with a private party at JPMorgan Chase in Chicago. Hor’doeuvres and cocktails were served as Committee Members, Sustainers and Members of the Board of Governors from Winnetka Community House viewed the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection, one of the oldest and most extensive corporate art collections in the world. Antiques + Modernism Winnetka commences with a Preview Party featuring a cocktail buffet reception from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 18 at Winnetka Community House. Admission is $125 if purchased in …

Extra virgin olive oil — nectar of the gods

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:05:43 -0500

With olive oil stores sprouting like daffodils in spring and a plethora of online sources, food aficionados in the Chicago area have been discovering the exquisite taste of genuine extra virgin olive oils.

Senior scams sprout in spring

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:49:54 -0500

The arrival of spring brings out beautiful flowers and visits from neighbors who have stayed inside during the winter. But spring can also bring out criminals who prey on the kind nature of seniors, and area police departments are issuing warnings to help keep seniors safe. According to the Buffalo Grove Police Department, many common spring scams focus on home repairs where unscrupulous individuals either take money and don’t do the repairs or try to use the alleged repair to gain access to the home and steal either items or personal information. “They start out as a driveway scam or …